76ers insider reveals Knicks' trade package for Joel Embiid

It was reported in July that New York was "monitoring" Embiid's happiness in Philadelphia. That came in the wake of the big man saying during an interview with Maverick Carter that he didn't know if he'd stay with the Sixers long term.

Embiid told Carter that winning an NBA title is his top priority, even if it means leaving the only franchise he's known. Embiid was selected third overall by the 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft and has made six consecutive All-Star teams while capturing his first MVP award in 2023.

The Cameroonian's words came following star guard James Harden's trade request (which has yet to be fulfilled).

Embiid led the league in scoring for the second straight season during the 2022-23 campaign and he averaged 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks across 66 tilts as well. Embiid also shot a career-best 54.8% from the field.

He struggled in the playoffs though, dropping to 23.7 points per game in the tournament and Philadelphia blew a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. Embiid's playoff numbers also decreased in rebounds (9.8) and assists (2.7).

His performance in the Game 7 loss to the Celtics was arguably his worst of the postseason, as he had just 15 points and one assist (against four turnovers), while shooting 5-for-18 from the field and 0-for-4 from beyond the arc.

Embiid is still one of the best players in the NBA, and his 2023 playoff shortcomings shouldn't be a huge cause for concern, but what the Knicks are willing to offer is too much.

Per Pompey, New York is "closely monitoring" Embiid's situation and hopes it "ends with Embiid forcing his way out." The insider also wrote that Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose has made obtaining Embiid, if he becomes available, the "No. 1 priority."

In addition to the first-round picks, giving up three of the quartet of Evan Fournier, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and R.J. Barrett could backfire, especially if it's the latter three.

Embiid will be 30 years old in less than five months, and given his extensive injury history, it's not difficult to imagine the former No. 3 overall pick breaking down as he enters his early and mid-30s. He's never played more than 68 games in a season and it's hard to see him getting more durable as he gets older.

Fournier (who's been involved in heavy trade rumors) would probably welcome an exit from New York, but if the Sixers were to agree to a deal, it's more likely to include the other three mentioned players. Fournier will turn 31 next week.

Barrett, Randle and Robinson are three of the Knicks' best players and are 23, 28 and 25 respectively.

Barrett has played in at least 70 games each of the last three seasons (including all 72 in the pandemic-altered 2020-2021 campaign) and has been a steady force in New York's starting five. Randle scored a career-high 25.1 points per game last season and since his first full campaign in 2015-16, he's played in at least 64 games every year. The lefty helped lead the Knicks to their highest win total in 10 years last season and their first conference semifinal appearance since 2013.

Robinson is one of the better defenders and rebounders in the NBA, averaging 7.9 boards (3.6 offensive) and 2.0 blocks per contest over his 289-game career. He posted a career-best 9.4 rebounds per contest in 2022-23, despite playing only 27.0 minutes per game.